{"id":627025,"date":"2024-03-07T10:20:21","date_gmt":"2024-03-07T15:20:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=627025"},"modified":"2024-10-25T10:05:45","modified_gmt":"2024-10-25T14:05:45","slug":"medical-debt-resources","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/medical-debt-resources\/","title":{"rendered":"Medical debt resources"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Navigating the financial challenges of medical expenses is an unavoidable aspect of life for many individuals. Unlike most spending, medical debt can arise unexpectedly and is not a matter of choice. If you are living with medical debt, you&rsquo;re not alone&mdash;approximately <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.consumerfinance.gov\/about-us\/blog\/medical-debt-anything-already-paid-or-under-500-should-no-longer-be-on-your-credit-report\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">1 in 5 families<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> carry medical debt in some form.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Today&rsquo;s rising costs of medical care can easily lead to an overwhelming amount of medical debt, creating stressful situations where repayment becomes difficult or even impossible. This guide provides a brief overview of what medical debt entails and essential information that consumers need to manage it effectively.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"understanding-medical-debt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Understanding medical debt<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You may accrue medical debt from a wide range of healthcare costs, such as general healthcare appointments, hospital bills, specialist visits, prescription medications, and medical procedures, treatments, or surgeries. Additionally, medical debt can impact anyone, regardless of background or the quality of health insurance coverage.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The compounding nature of medical debt becomes apparent when one bill leads to another, creating a snowball effect that can be overwhelming when financial resources are limited. Understanding these common circumstances is crucial for effectively addressing and managing medical debt.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"the-prevalence-of-medical-debt-in-the-united-states\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The prevalence of medical debt in the United States<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Today, more people have <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/aspe.hhs.gov\/reports\/current-health-coverage-under-affordable-care-act\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">health insurance<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> coverage than ever before because of the passage of the Affordable Care Act. However, a substantial percentage of the population still lacks sufficient health insurance and the necessary out-of-pocket funds to cover medical expenses.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.healthsystemtracker.org\/brief\/the-burden-of-medical-debt-in-the-united-states\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2021 study<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> found an estimated $220 billion of medical debt in the United States spread across 20 million people. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The reality of medical debt for the average American is highlighted even more through the following statistics:&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Around 16 million people in the United States have more than $1,000 in medical debt.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">About 3 million people owe over $10,000 in medical debt.&nbsp;<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">12% of adults in the 50 to 64 age bracket have significant medical debt compared to older individuals.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">13% of adults who went without health insurance for six months or more accumulated a large amount of medical debt.&nbsp;<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">People with poor health had greater medical debt than healthy individuals.&nbsp;<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">People living with disabilities are more likely to have medical debt over $250.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 id=\"factors-contributing-to-medical-debt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Factors contributing to medical debt<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Health insurance coverage has evolved in ways that contribute to medical debt. High medical costs, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.aha.org\/news\/perspective\/2023-08-11-inadequate-health-insurance-coverage-drives-medical-debt-four-solutions-address-significant-problem\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">inadequate health insurance<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and medical emergencies are some factors that relate to medical debt.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"high-cost-of-healthcare\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">High cost of healthcare<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pgpf.org\/blog\/2023\/07\/why-are-americans-paying-more-for-healthcare\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">cost of healthcare<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> has grown faster than the cost of inflation. Some of the reasons for this are advancements in technology, administrative complexity, and the consolidation of hospitals, which has reduced competition.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While high-deductible health plans have become a popular form of health insurance for some people, they leave many consumers unable to pay the deductibles and out-of-pocket costs. Individuals who can&rsquo;t afford or access a good health plan resort to limited, short-term duration health plans or health sharing plans known as &ldquo;skinny plans.&rdquo; Such plans eliminate or limit important coverages.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Additionally, some states have not taken advantage of <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.healthcare.gov\/medicaid-chip\/medicaid-expansion-and-you\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Medicaid expansion<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, reducing the percentage of people who qualify for the program.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"lack-of-insurance-coverage\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lack of insurance coverage<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Insufficient health insurance coverage means you shoulder a larger portion of your medical expenses. People who lack health insurance coverage may seek medical attention less often than required to avoid acquiring more medical debt, which can lead to worsening health. In fact, one <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/books\/NBK220636\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">study<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> showed that 22% of continuously uninsured people experienced a major decline in their self-reported health. Of course, as a person&rsquo;s health continues to decline, conditions can exacerbate, contributing to a rise in medical expenses.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"medical-emergencies\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Medical emergencies<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Medical emergencies can swiftly escalate medical debt through unexpected and high-cost bills. Emergency medical situations don&rsquo;t leave you with much time to decide on your options for care. Although emergency rooms cannot refuse to treat someone because of inability to pay, emergency room visits, ambulance services, and urgent medical interventions can lead to substantial financial burdens later. Additionally, the aftermath of a medical emergency often involves ongoing treatments, compounding the strain on finances.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The average emergency room visit costs <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.afcurgentcare.com\/blog\/cost-of-urgent-care-vs-cost-of-er-visit\/#:~:text=On%20average%2C%20urgent%20care%20visits,costing%20between%20%241%2C200%20and%20%241%2C300.\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">around $1,200<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and a study from the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) found about <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kff.org\/report-section\/kff-health-care-debt-survey-main-findings\/#:~:text=A%20majority%20of%20adults%20with,those%20ages%2065%20and%20over.\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">half of people<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> surveyed reported that emergency care contributed to their medical debt.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"impact-of-medical-debt-on-individuals-and-families\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Impact of medical debt on individuals and families<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The inability to pay for medical debt can take a deep emotional toll on individuals and families, impacting their mental health and well-being. Medical debt can cause them to prioritize paying for medical debts over other necessities.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"mental-health-impact-of-medical-debt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mental health impact of medical debt<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">People experiencing medical debt are <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC7327393\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">three times<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> more likely to experience negative mental health effects such as stress, anxiety, and depression. In turn, poor mental health can negatively impact your ability to focus on your physical health and other areas of your life.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"implications-on-credit-and-future-financial-stability\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Implications on credit and future financial stability<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The effects of medical debt often extend beyond immediate financial strain and can negatively impact your credit and future financial stability. Unpaid medical bills can cause long-term damage to your credit score, making it challenging to obtain loans for major life events in the future.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kff.org\/health-costs\/issue-brief\/americans-challenges-with-health-care-costs\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">KFF research<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> shows the following:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">About 40% of people used most of their savings to pay for medical bills.&nbsp;<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Many individuals said they skipped other bills to pay medical debt.&nbsp;<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Some people in the study modified other major life decisions regarding housing, education, and moving to help pay past-due medical debts.&nbsp;<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Adults with medical debt were two times more likely to forgo getting health services until they could pay existing debts.&nbsp;<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Almost 1 in 5 adults believe they&rsquo;ll never be able to pay off their medical debts.&nbsp;<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Medical debt can impact your credit report, although three credit bureaus now <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.consumerfinance.gov\/about-us\/blog\/medical-debt-anything-already-paid-or-under-500-should-no-longer-be-on-your-credit-report\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">remove unpaid medical collections<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> with a balance of less than $500.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"strategies-to-manage-medical-debt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Strategies to manage medical debt<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Comprehensive healthcare coverage is a good start to preventing or reducing medical debt, but there are additional steps you can take, such as budgeting for medical services, negotiating costs, and applying for financial aid.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"creating-a-budget\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Creating a budget<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A carefully written budget that prioritizes medical debt repayment is a key strategy for managing your financial well-being. Defining financial priorities and allocating money specifically meant for repayment will give you confidence in reaching repayment eventually.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You can navigate your financial landscape with greater confidence and foresight by clearly delineating financial priorities and allocating resources specifically for medical debt repayment. Moreover, a well-thought-out budget helps you identify areas where you can adjust your discretionary spending, ensuring that you allocate funds judiciously toward settling medical debts, thereby contributing to long-term financial stability and peace of mind.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Individuals with employer-sponsored health plans can open <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/hra-vs-hsa-vs-fsa\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">health savings accounts (HSAs) or flexible spending accounts (FSAs)<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Depositing a percentage of your income into these accounts during each pay period not only facilitates the payment of medical expenses but also gives you the potential benefit of employer contributions. An added advantage of this budgeting approach is the ability to deposit and withdraw funds tax-free. It&#8217;s important to note that adhering to the rules and guidelines for HSAs or FSAs is crucial to avoid potential financial losses at the end of the year.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"monitoring-insurance-claims\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Monitoring insurance claims<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you have insurance, don&rsquo;t assume that every bill your provider has processed is correct. Regularly check statements and invoices from healthcare providers to ensure charges match the services you received. Identifying errors allows for corrections and prevents them from turning into significant medical debt. If you find discrepancies, take proactive steps like appealing mistakes with the insurance company to address billing issues and potentially save yourself from unnecessary financial burdens.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"negotiating-with-healthcare-providers\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Negotiating with healthcare providers<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Healthcare providers are often open to negotiating fees for people who can&rsquo;t pay their medical bills. Providers are inclined to receive partial payment sooner by reducing their costs, as opposed to having debts prolonged for an extended period. As the patient, you need to take the initiative in requesting negotiations, and if you reach an agreement, you may need to settle the debt in a lump sum.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"applying-for-financial-aid\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Applying for financial aid<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Federal law requires nonprofit hospitals to offer <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.irs.gov\/charities-non-profits\/financial-assistance-policies-faps\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">financial assistance<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to patients who can&rsquo;t afford medical services. Your state may also have charity care laws that require hospitals to provide reduced fees or free care to patients who meet certain criteria. Eligibility may be based on your income.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You can apply for financial assistance even if your debt was sent to a collection agency or the provider has sued to collect the debt. You can ask the provider to stop collection agency activity until your financial assistance application is approved, though this is not always possible for your provider to do.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When applying for financial assistance, be sure to read the provider&rsquo;s policy carefully and fill out the application accurately.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"resources-to-help-with-medical-debt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Resources to help with medical debt<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Resources are available to help you get your medical debt under control, including charity care programs and medical debt relief programs. Some states offer medical debt relief assistance directly.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"nonprofit-organizations\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Nonprofit organizations<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The following nonprofit organizations provide services to help patients get reduced or free health services or <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/prescriptions-cheaper-without-insurance\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">prescriptions<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/dollarfor.org\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Dollar For<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: A medical advocate service<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.findhelp.org\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">FindHelp<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: A social care network and online database of services<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.healthwellfoundation.org\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">HealthWell Foundation<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Financial assistance for medical bills and prescriptions<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.panfoundation.org\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pan Foundation<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Financial assistance for out-of-pocket medical expenses<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/nafcclinics.org\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">National Association of Free &amp; Charitable Clinics<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: A database of free or charitable clinics<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rxassist.org\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Rx Assist<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: A directory of pharmaceutical companies that provide free medications<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gofundme.com\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">GoFundMe<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: A crowdfunding site to raise money for any cause<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This list is far from exhaustive, and there are many other organizations and resources that may offer you support in a variety of ways.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"medical-debt-relief-programs\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Medical debt relief programs<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The federal government has several programs to assist people with hospital bills and other medical debt. Additionally, your state and local human services departments are good places to start for identifying federal, state, and local assistance with medical debt.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here are several ways to find medical debt relief programs.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/ripmedicaldebt.org\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">RIP Medical Debt<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: This nonprofit organization focuses on buying and forgiving medical debt to help relieve some of the burden on individuals facing financial hardship due to medical bills.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/dollarfor.org\/charity-care\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Charity Care Programs at Hospitals<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Many hospitals have their own charity care programs designed to help individuals with medical bills. Contact your local hospital&#8217;s financial assistance or billing department for available programs.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.patientadvocate.org\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Patient Advocate Foundation<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: This organization offers case management services and financial assistance to individuals dealing with chronic, life-threatening, or debilitating diseases.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nfcc.org\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">National Foundation for Credit Counseling<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (NFCC): While not exclusively focused on medical debt, NFCC is a nonprofit organization that provides financial counseling and education. They may help individuals manage various types of debt, including medical bills.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hcup-us.ahrq.gov\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (HCUP): HCUP provides information on state and community-based programs that offer financial assistance with medical bills.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Local nonprofit organizations: Many local nonprofits and charities, such as medical clinics or community health centers, may have programs to assist with medical debt relief. Check with organizations in your community.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 id=\"medical-debt-payoff-options\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Medical debt payoff options<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Whether you anticipate medical debt or not, it&rsquo;s always good practice to ensure your medical bills are correct, reduce them if possible, and establish a payment plan.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"payment-plans\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Payment plans<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are various ways to manage medical debt over time. Firstly, you can negotiate a payment plan directly with your healthcare provider, allowing for a structured repayment schedule. Alternatively, leveraging a &#8220;buy now pay later&#8221; app provides a flexible method to spread out your financial burden. Another option is securing a personal loan, offering a lump sum to cover medical expenses with a manageable repayment plan. Additionally, exploring the possibility of a debt consolidation loan can streamline multiple debts into a single payment, simplifying the process of repaying your medical costs over an extended period.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"examine-and-understand-your-medical-bills\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Examine and understand your medical bills<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Medical billing can be intricate, and errors are not uncommon, making it crucial to review every medical bill you receive. A simple typo in a billing code can result in your insurer denying your entire claim.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Charges can be confusing, so reading your medical bills carefully is important. Make sure you understand what the bill is for, how much you owe, what each charge is for, and what portion of the bill your insurance paid, if applicable. Contact the bill issuer with any questions before you pay.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Bills should explicitly detail the following information.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Total charges<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Allowed amounts<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Adjustments<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Insurance payments<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Patient balance<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Do not hesitate to seek clarification if any aspect appears unclear or raises questions. Addressing queries may reveal discrepancies, ensuring you are not obligated to pay more than necessary.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"work-with-a-medical-debt-advocate\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Work with a medical debt advocate<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Medical debt advocates work on behalf of patients to reduce and eliminate medical debt. They are experts at analyzing and detecting errors in medical bills and insurance claims. Advocates may also assist with appeals for claim denials. Medical debt advocates may charge an hourly rate or a percentage of the amount they save you.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"medical-credit-cards\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Medical credit cards<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Created specifically to help you manage medical debt, medical credit cards operate much like regular credit cards but temporarily defer interest for a limited time to give you a buffer for settling medical expenses.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It&#8217;s important to note that failure to pay off medical credit cards promptly can mean you accrue late fees and high-interest charges. Exercise caution to avoid potential financial pitfalls associated with these cards.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"bankruptcy\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Bankruptcy<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The term &ldquo;medical bankruptcy&rdquo; can be misleading as it is the same as regular bankruptcy. It&rsquo;s vital to recognize that bankruptcy (whether Chapter 7 or Chapter 13)&nbsp; should be a last resort when you&rsquo;re paying medical debt. With Chapter 7, you can liquidate property to pay medical debts. With Chapter 13, the court will give you a three- to five-year repayment plan.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"filing-for-bankruptcy\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Filing for bankruptcy<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Anyone considering medical bankruptcy should research the impact of taking such action as it carries consequences in the future.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"pros-and-cons-of-bankruptcy\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pros and cons of bankruptcy<\/span><\/h3>\n<h4 id=\"pros\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pros<\/span><\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Erases or reduces medical debt<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Allows you to clear nonmedical debts<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Can prevent legal action<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Collection agencies may hold off during bankruptcy proceedings<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">May allow you to keep some assets<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4 id=\"cons\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cons&nbsp;<\/span><\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Your credit score may drop<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Can remain on your credit history for up to 10 years<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Requires bankruptcy filing fees<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Process is lengthy<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Bankruptcies are public<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Difficult to get credit in the future<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Can&rsquo;t be undone<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It&rsquo;s crucial to be honest about your finances and assets during bankruptcy, as it is a legal process that carries punishment if abused.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"how-to-file-for-medical-bankruptcy\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How to file for medical bankruptcy<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You&rsquo;ll benefit by retaining a bankruptcy attorney who can walk you through the bankruptcy process. Here are some things you&rsquo;ll need to do when filing for bankruptcy:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Get your financial documents in order.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fill out the official bankruptcy forms.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Complete an approved credit counseling course.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">File the documents in the proper court.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Submit the required documents.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Attend a meeting with the court-appointed trustee.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It&rsquo;s important to keep making payments on your debts until the bankruptcy process is complete.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"medical-debt-faq\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Medical debt FAQ<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><b>Q: How will filing for medical bankruptcy impact my credit score?&nbsp;<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A: Filing for medical bankruptcy is likely to harm your credit score. While it may reduce your overall debt, resulting in a slight increase in your score, the bankruptcy itself will significantly lower your creditworthiness. Bankruptcies remain on credit reports for up to 10 years, making it challenging to secure loans or credit for major life events. It is crucial to consider the long-term consequences and explore alternative options before opting for medical bankruptcy, as its effects on credit are substantial and can hinder financial opportunities in the future.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Q: Does medical debt show up on my credit score?<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A: <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Medical debt can appear on your credit score, especially if it has been sent to collections. However, there is a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.consumerfinance.gov\/about-us\/blog\/medical-debt-anything-already-paid-or-under-500-should-no-longer-be-on-your-credit-report\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">recent change in policy<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> among three major credit bureaus that remove unpaid medical collections of less than $500 from credit reports. While this adjustment provides some relief for smaller medical debts, larger unpaid amounts may still impact your credit score negatively.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Q: Do debt collectors have the right to contact me anytime?<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A: Debt collectors must not contact you via email, text, or social media if you ask them to stop. They can&rsquo;t call you at work if this is not allowed at your workplace, and they can&rsquo;t call more than seven times within a week. They are limited to calling between 8 a.m. and 9 p.m. <\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Navigating the financial challenges of medical expenses is an unavoidable aspect of life for many individuals. Unlike most spending, medical debt can arise unexpectedly and is not a matter of choice. If you are living with medical debt, you&rsquo;re not alone&mdash;approximately 1 in 5 families carry medical debt in some form. Today&rsquo;s rising costs of [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":627026,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[691],"coauthors":[8861],"class_list":["post-627025","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-company","tag-healthcare-costs","wpautop"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.4 (Yoast SEO v27.4) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Medical debt resources<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Discover essential insights on managing medical debt for individuals and families facing the financial challenges of healthcare expenses. 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